JP3495046B2 - Manufacturing method of tape tab fastener - Google Patents

Description

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a tape tab blank, which can be used for manufacturing a tape tab used in a disposable absorbent article having a tape tab closing member, and a disposable to which the tape tab is adhered. The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a tape tab material which can be manufactured online together with an absorber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Disposable absorbent articles, such as diapers, excretory pants, incontinence garments, women's sanitary garments, etc., are very well known today as commercial products. Generally, adhesive tape tab fasteners are used to secure the absorbent body around the wearer's waist. Generally, such fasteners are manufactured separately from the absorbent body to which they are adhered. For example, the manufacture of tape tabs is typically done at a different facility and at a different facility than the manufacture of the absorbent chassis. Tape tabs are typically manufactured by applying a release agent to the backing and winding the backside into a roll. Then, a backing material roll treated with a release agent is unwound and covered with a pressure-sensitive adhesive to form a tape material. The tape material is then rewound into rolls for shipping. Finally, at the manufacturing site of the absorber, the tape material is unwound, cut to size, and adhered to the absorber chassis.

The most important consideration in the construction of disposable absorbent articles is the manufacturing cost of the absorbent article. The present invention provides a cost-reduced method for manufacturing tape tabs used in disposable absorbent articles. If desired, the tape tabs can be manufactured in-situ at the same time as the absorbent chassis. Therefore, there is no need to rewind the tape material or prepare for shipping. Therefore, it is not necessary to cover the non-adhesive surface of the tape material with the release agent, the tape tab manufacturing method is simplified, and the entire manufacturing cost of the disposable absorbent body is reduced.

An object of the present invention is to provide a low cost manufacturing method of a tape tab material that can be used for manufacturing a tape tab used for a disposable absorbent body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an on-line manufacturing method for tape tabs used in disposable absorbent articles.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a tape tab and a tape tab material having improved processability and cleanliness.

These and other objects of the invention will be considered in view of the following specification and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
It will be more easily apparent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a method of manufacturing a tape tab material, which can be used for manufacturing a tape tab used for a disposable absorbent body,
Also provided is an on-line manufacturing method of a tape tab that can be manufactured at the same time as the chassis of the absorber to which the tape tab is bonded. The first step is to produce a backing support to which the tape tab adhesive can be applied. The back surface is manufactured and the pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to several areas on one side of the back support. Preferably the pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to a zone located at least 0.5 mm transversely inward from the longitudinal edge of the backing support. Similarly, the pressure sensitive adhesive zones are separated about the longitudinal centerline and have a width of at least 0.5 m.
It is preferred to form the adhesive free sites of m.
(The pressure sensitive adhesive preferably functions as an adhesive used to secure one element of the absorbent body, eg, the front waist, to another element of the absorbent body, eg, the rear waist.) Then the back surface. The support is slit in a direction parallel to the machine direction and the release surface of the release support is contacted with a pressure sensitive adhesive to form a laminate comprising a back support and a release support. Preferably, the release support covers the entire surface of the backing support to which the pressure sensitive adhesive has been applied. However, in a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the backing support extends outwardly beyond the longitudinal edges of the release support in a direction parallel to the lateral direction. Then,
The surface of the laminate, including the surface of the release support that is not in contact with the pressure sensitive adhesive, and the back support, which is not covered by the release support, are all construction adhesives.
sives). In a preferred embodiment, the assembly adhesive has a width of at least 0 along the longitudinal edges of the release support, about the longitudinal centerline of the laminate.
Coated to produce a 5 mm assembly adhesive free site. (The assembly adhesive is used to adhere the tape tabs to the absorbent body.) After the assembly adhesive is applied to the surface of the laminate, the laminate is slit in a direction parallel to the machine direction for shipping or storage. It is rewound or fed to a taper device incorporated in the absorber production line. A taper device is a device that cuts individual tape tabs and attaches them to the absorber chassis.

The present invention provides a low cost method of manufacturing a tape tab blank that can be used to manufacture a tape tab used in an absorber. The method of the present invention eliminates the need to apply a release agent to the surface of the backing support that has not been coated with an adhesive. Furthermore, the method of the invention can be carried out at the same time as the production of the absorbent body to which the tape tabs are to be glued, so that the tape material does not have to be rewound. Thus, there is provided a simpler and more economical method for manufacturing tape tabs used in disposable absorbent articles.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of making a one-piece tape tab is provided. A back support is prepared as described above and a pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to one surface of this back support. Then, the back support is slit in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction. However, rather than using a separate release support to form the release surface for the pressure sensitive adhesive of the tape tab, the back support has an integral release surface. The pressure sensitive adhesive of the tape tab may be releasably secured to this release surface.

Brief Description of the Drawings The specification is concluded by the claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the invention, which is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is believed that a better understanding will be given by the description below.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an absorber provided with a tape tab manufactured by an online method.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an on-line manufacturing method of the tape tab used in this absorber.

3a to 3f are plan views of the online manufacturing method of the tape tab used for the absorbent body, and show the process flow in the vertical direction.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the laminate shown in FIG. 3e.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a two-piece tape tab manufactured by the method of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a laminate forming an embodiment of a one-piece tape tab made by the method of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a portion of an absorbent article with a one-piece tape tab embodiment made by the method of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a two-piece tape tab made by the method of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a two-piece tape tab made by the method of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of a two-piece tape tab made by the method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The method of the present invention is particularly suitable for the manufacture of tape tabs used in disposable absorbent articles. The term "absorbent" as used herein absorbs exudates from the body,
And the device that can be contained. More specifically, it refers to a device placed on the wearer's skin to absorb and contain various exudates discharged from the body.
The term "disposable" is used herein to describe an absorbent article that is not intended to be washed or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article after only one use (ie, these Things are to be discarded, or preferably recycled, composted, or disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner). A "unitary" absorbent material is an absorbent material that is formed from separate parts, but which are united to form a co-operative unitary body and therefore does not require separate operating parts such as separate holders or liners. It refers to the body. A preferred embodiment of a unitary absorbent body comprising a tape tab made by the method of the present invention is the disposable absorbent body shown in FIG. As used herein, the term "diaper" refers to an absorbent body commonly worn by infants and incontinent persons, which is worn around the lower torso of the wearer. However, it should be understood that the present invention may also be applied to incontinence shorts, diaper holders, women's sanitary garments, toilet training pants, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, an absorbent article, such as a diaper 20, generally
Liquid-permeable topsheet 22 and liquid-impermeable backsheet
24 and an absorbent core 26 sandwiched between the topsheet 22 and the backsheet 24. Diaper 20
Preferably further comprises a front waist portion 36, a rear waist portion 38, elastic leg cuffs 28, an ear flap 30, an elastic waist portion 32 and a fastening device 34 comprising at least one tape tab 40. There is. An example of a preferable absorber to which the tape tab of the present invention can be attached is, for example, September 29, 1992
Granted to Buell et al. On the day, the title of the invention was "Absorber with a dynamic elastic waist with pre-positioned elastic flexible hinges", US Pat.
Further details and completeness can be found in 151,092.
This patent is incorporated herein by reference.

One of the preferred tape tabs produced by the method of the present invention is shown in FIGS. The tape tab 40 includes a back support 52 with at least one assembly adhesive 56 and one pressure sensitive adhesive 54. (However,
It should be noted that the assembly adhesive 56 may be the pressure sensitive adhesive 54. The assembly adhesive 56 is adhered to the backsheet 24 and is separated from the pressure sensitive adhesive 54 by a distance of about 0.5 mm or more. The assembly adhesive 56 is spaced inwardly from the edge 201 of the back support 52 by a distance of about 0.5 mm or more. The pressure sensitive adhesive 54 is spaced inward from the back support edge 83 by a distance of about 0.5 mm or more. Release surface 50 is a permanent adhesive
It is adhered to the topsheet 22 by 56. The end of the permanent adhesive is about 0.5 mm or more away from the edge 203 of the release support 50. In another preferred implementation, the end of the permanent adhesive 56 is also
It is at a distance of about 0.5 mm or more from the edge 202 of the release support.

Another preferred adhesive tape tab 40 is shown in FIG. The tape tab 40 comprises a back support 52 having only one pressure sensitive adhesive 54. The pressure sensitive adhesive 54 is used to adhere the backing support 52 to the backsheet 24, but at the same time to provide a surface that can be used for fixation. The pressure sensitive adhesive 54 is preferably a back support
Located inwardly from edges 83 and 201 of 52 by a distance of about 0.5 mm or more. The release support 50 is preferably
It is adhered to the topsheet 22 using the assembly adhesive described with respect to the tape tabs of FIGS.

Overall On-Line Manufacturing Method for Tape Tabs The tape tabs 40 of the present invention are manufactured by first manufacturing a backing support to which the adhesive of the tape tabs 40 can be applied. A pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to some areas on one side of the back support. (As mentioned above, the pressure sensitive adhesive is preferably one element of the absorbent body, such as the front waist 36.
To another element of the absorbent body, for example the rear waist 38
Acts as an adhesive used to secure to. )
The back support is then slit, preferably in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction, arranged such that the release support is in contact with the pressure sensitive adhesive and comprises a back support, a pressure sensitive adhesive and a release support. A laminate is formed. The surface of the laminate, including that of the release support, as well as any portion of the backing support that is not covered by the release support, is then coated with an assembly adhesive to adhere the tape tab to the absorbent body. After the assembly adhesive has been applied to the surface of the laminate, the laminate is preferably slit in a direction parallel to the machine direction and fed to a taper device incorporated into the absorber manufacturing line. The taper device cuts individual tape tabs 40 from the laminate and
To the chassis of the absorber. This method is shown in FIGS.

The tape tab 40 of the present invention can be manufactured with the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. The device 100 comprises two separate process modules: That is, a process module 110 for producing the release support 50 and a process module 112 for producing the back support (or “back”) 52, applying a pressure sensitive adhesive 54 to the back 52,
It is also a module that slits the backing material 52 before contacting the peeling support 50 with the pressure sensitive adhesive 54 disposed on the backing support 52. In the preferred embodiment, the device 10
0 is integrated into the disposable absorbent manufacturing line so that the tape tab 40 of the present invention is manufactured "online."
(As used herein, the term "integration" refers to interconnected process modules that are operated simultaneously to produce a final product from raw materials. The term "online" refers to the tape tabs attached to it. The method of manufacturing the tape tabs 40 of the present invention in an apparatus integrated into a manufacturing line for the production of disposable disposable absorbent articles. 52 is taken out from the unwinding roll 120 and manufactured. Back support 52 may include any material to which pressure sensitive adhesives and permanent adhesives, such as hot melt adhesives, may be applied. Some non-limiting examples of suitable backing substrates include films, laminates, woven and non-woven webs, foams and the like. In a preferred embodiment,
Back support 52 comprises a cellulose, polyolefin or polyester film, which has a thickness of about 2.5 mils to about 5.0 mils, more preferably about 4 mils. A polyolefin film found to be particularly suitable for the backing substrate is Exxon Chemica of Lake Zurich, Illinois.
Company) under the trade name EX-377. Cellulose films which have been found suitable are those manufactured by Kimberly-Clark Corporation of Dallas, Texas under the trade name C-49490.

As shown in FIG. 2, the back support 52 is taken from the unwind roll 120 and passed through the S-wrap tension roll 124 to provide the proper tension to prevent wrinkling or bunching of the back 52.
If desired, a commonly used tracking device known in the art (not shown) may be used in the process module 112 to optimally track and adjust the back support 52 to provide the S-lap tension roll. 12
You may put it in 4. A tracking device manufactured by Fife Corporation of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and sold as model Op6 LRA would be suitable.

The guide roll 126 guides the back surface 52 to the adjacent location of the adhesive slot coater 130 for application of the pressure sensitive adhesive 54. Adhesive slot coater 130 may be any adhesive slot coater known in the art. Similarly, pressure sensitive adhesive 54 may be any pressure sensitive adhesive known in the art. These adhesives include, but are not limited to, pressure sensitive adhesives, flocculants, solution adhesives or water based adhesives. An example of a preferred pressure sensitive adhesive is HB of St. Paul, Minnesota.
There are HL-1414 and HL-1350 manufactured by HB Fuller Company, and H-2153 manufactured by Findley Adhesive Corporation of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Adhesive slot coater 130
A pressure sensitive adhesive 54 is preferably applied to the back surface 52 in the heated liquid state. The slot coater 130 preferably has a pressure sensitive adhesive 54 on the back surface 52 and an adhesive-free gap 74, 75, 76.
To be formed. These gaps are preferably about 0.5 mm or larger in size to enhance processability (ie slits if necessary) and process hygiene. After the pressure sensitive adhesive 54 has been applied, the back surface 52 is preferably fed towards the chill roll 132, and thus the pressure sensitive adhesive 5
The 4 is cooled and solidified on the surface of the back surface 52.

Once the pressure sensitive adhesive 54 has been applied and preferably cooled,
The back surface 52 is preferably fed to a shear slit device 134. This device slits the back surface 52 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction. Preferably, by this slitting operation, the back surface 52 is slit parallel to the longitudinal direction in the part 75 not containing the adhesive. (However, it should be noted that in less preferred embodiments, the back surface 52 is not slit or separated. In such embodiments, the result is a single tape tab blank 70 rather than multiple segments. These multiple segments are described in more detail below with respect to the preferred embodiment.) The back surface 52 is then laterally separated at the slit. (The term "lateral" as used herein is defined as the direction perpendicular to the machine direction or parallel to the machine direction.)
52 may be separated by any means known in the art. Such means include, but are not limited to, any web spreader 136 known in the art.

Peel Support The back surface 52 with the pressure sensitive adhesive 54 is fed to the nip between the laminating rolls 140. The back surface 52, which now comprises the pressure sensitive adhesive 54, is brought into contact with the release surface of the release support 50. The release support 50 generally comprises a base material and a release agent disposed on at least one surface of the base material. However, since the base material itself acts as a release agent, a release support that does not require a release agent can be used. The release agent may be applied "on-line" to the base material, or it may be prefabricated as shown in FIG. The base material of the release support 50 can be any material known in the art. Base materials include, but are not limited to, films, laminates, woven or non-woven webs, foams and the like. Examples of suitable base materials for the release support of the present invention are 1.0-5.0 mil thick cellulosic materials or polypropylene films. One of the preferred base materials for the release support 50 is Exxon Chemical Co. (Exx) of Lake Zurich, Illinois.
on Chemical Company) polypropylene film EX-399. Another preferred base material for the release support 50 is a cellulose film 1224212 manufactured by the Rhinelander Paper Company of Rhinelander, Wisconsin. The release agent can be any release agent known in the art as long as it acts as a release agent for the particular pressure sensitive adhesive 54 used. One of the examples of suitable release agents that works well with many different base materials and pressure sensitive adhesives.
One is silicon. The Goldshmidt Company of Essen, Germany, has a trade name of RC71.
1 or RC726, a silicone formulation that can be used as a release agent. (In the preferred embodiment, the release agent is a mixture of RC711 and RC726 silicone formulations.) As shown in FIG. 2, release support 50 is taken from unwind roll 122 and passed through S-wrap tension roll 138 to a suitable location. Tension is provided to prevent wrinkling or bunching of the release support 50. If desired, a commonly used tracking device known in the art (not shown) may be used in process module 110 to optimally track and adjust release support 50 to provide S-wrap tension rolls. To put in As with process module 112, to ensure proper tracking of release support 50 in process module 110, tracking manufactured by Fife Corporation of Oklahoma City, Okla. And sold as model Op6 LRA. Equipment would be appropriate.

Adhesion of back support and release support When the support passes through the nip between the laminating rolls 140 on the surface of the back support 52 provided with the pressure sensitive adhesive 54, the release support provided with the release agent is provided. Contact with the surface of body 50. Back support 52 and release support 50 are releasably adhered to form laminate 60. The laminate 60 is fed past the adhesive spray nozzle 150. Assembly adhesive 56 is now applied to the surface of release support 50 to form tape tab blank 70. Spray nozzle 150 may be any adhesive spray nozzle known in the art, for example Dawsonville, Georgia.
& J Laboratories, Inc. (J & M Laboratories, Inc.)
M-melt blown nozzle or Nordson Corporatio of Norcross, Georgia
n) The Nordson spiral nozzle sold by, but not limited to. The assembly adhesive 56 may be any adhesive or combination of adhesives known in the art, such as pressure sensitive adhesives, flocculants, solution adhesives or water based adhesives. It is not limited to. However, preferably the assembly adhesive 56 is a permanent hot melt adhesive.
One such adhesive is the hot melt adhesive HL-1358 manufactured by HB Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Assembly adhesive 56 may be applied in any pattern known in the art. These patterns are
It is a line, dot, spiral, or generally continuous adhesive layer, but is not limited thereto. 1
In one preferred embodiment, the assembly adhesive 56 is applied with a width such that an adhesive-free site is formed about 0.5 mm or more from the side edge 100 of the release support 50. Similarly, there are preferably 0.5 mm or larger, adhesive-free portions parallel to the longitudinal centerline L. In embodiments in which the tape tab blank 70 is slit along the longitudinal centerline L, this increases processability and is hygienic.

After the assembly adhesive 56 is applied to the tape tab material 70,
Tape tab material 70 is preferably a second shear slitter 16
Sent to 0. Here, the tape tab material 70 is slit in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction. Then tape tab material 70
Is a tape tab material spreader 162 at the slit
Separated and fed directly to a standard taper device 170 commonly known in the art. One suitable taper device is manufactured by Curt G. Joa Inc. of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, which vacuum-rolls tape tab stock 70. Where the tape tab blank 70 is cut into individual tape tabs 40, which are spaced (staggered) and adhered to the absorbent body.

Alternatively, the tape tab blank 70 may be rewound for storage or shipping and later sent to the taper device of the absorbent manufacturing line. If it is desired to rewind the tape tab blank 70, the assembly adhesive 56 can lose its adhesion while the tape tab blank 70 is being wound,
Furthermore, it is preferable that the activity can be regained later at a desired time. (The term "regaining activity" as used herein refers to the ability of an adhesive to lose its adhesion and later regain its adhesion.) Loss its adhesion and later Some non-limiting examples of adhesives that have the ability to regain adhesiveness include hot melt adhesives, water activated adhesives, radiation activated adhesives, and UV light activated adhesives.

Preferred Embodiments a. Two-Component Tape Tabs One of the preferred embodiments according to the present invention for manufacturing two-component tape tabs is shown in Figures 3a-3f. As shown in Figure 3a, the back support 52 is provided as having a longitudinal centerline L and a transverse centerline T perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline L. (As used herein, the term "longitudinal centerline" refers to an imaginary line that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction. "Transverse centerline" extends parallel to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the transverse direction. The back support 52 further includes a first surface 80, a second surface 82 opposite the first surface 80, and a pair of outer longitudinal edges 84. (As shown in FIG. 3c, the back support 52 also includes
After the back support is slit, it also includes a pair of inner longitudinal edges 83. FIG. 3b is a plan view of the back support 52 after the back support 52 has passed through the slot coater 130 and the pressure sensitive adhesive 54 has been applied to the first surface 80. In the preferred embodiment, the pressure sensitive adhesive 54 is not applied over the entire first surface 80 of the backing support 52. Rather, the pressure sensitive adhesive 54 is preferably applied continuously to several zones of the back support 52, preferably at least the first zone 86 and the second zone 88. (The term "continuously" as used herein generally refers to an uninterrupted pattern.) The first zone 86 and the second zone 88 are preferably the outer longitudinal edges 84 of the back support 52. It is located inward in the transverse direction. (As used herein, the term "transversely inward" means in the direction of the longitudinal centerline L. The term "transversely outwardly" means away from the longitudinal centerline L. Anchors 74 and 76 occur at the location between the outer longitudinal edge 84 of the back support 52 and the zones 86 and 88 of the pressure sensitive adhesive 54. These anchoring points 74 and 76 are preferably about 0.5 mm or larger to enhance processability and process cleanliness.

The first zone 86 and the second zone 88 are also preferably transversely separated about the longitudinal centerline L.
This creates a non-adhesive site 75, which is preferably about
0.5mm or larger, first zone 86 and second zone 8
8 and can be used as a peeling tab 85. The non-adhesive portion 75 also enhances processability by assisting the slit operation 134. With peeling tab 85,
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, without the pressure sensitive adhesive 54,
The portion of the back support 52 preferably provided to the user that does not adhere to the release support or any other element of the diaper 20. Therefore, the user can grasp the peeling tab 85 and open the tape tab 40 more easily. (The term "opening the tape tab" as used herein refers to a pressure sensitive adhesive 54 disposed on the tape tab 40, a release support 50,
Or to separate the pressure sensitive adhesive 54 from any other surface to which it may adhere. ) However, the first zone
If the 86 and the second zone 88 are not transversely separated about the longitudinal centerline L, another method of providing the peel tab 85 can be used. This way,
A portion of the back support 52 adjacent the inner longitudinal edge 83,
A method of folding over the pressure sensitive adhesive 54 disposed on the back support 52 (shown in FIG. 5), or coating the back support 52 adjacent the inner longitudinal edge 83 with a release agent, Or a pressure sensitive adhesive at a location adjacent the inner longitudinal edge 83
Non-limiting methods include coating 54 with any other material that prevents it from adhering to release support 50 or any other element of diaper 20.

As shown in FIG. 3c, the back support 52 is preferably slit along the longitudinal centerline L to form two back support segments 90 and 92. (However, embodiments are contemplated where more than one zone of pressure sensitive adhesive 54 is applied to back support 52, or where back support 52 is slit into two or more back segments.)
The back support segments 90 and 92 are preferably transversely separated before being contacted with the release support 50 (FIG. 3d).
Shown in).

The release support 50 has a release surface 94 and an adhesive surface opposite the release surface 94. Release surface 94 preferably comprises a release agent as described above and is placed in contact with pressure sensitive adhesive 54 disposed on first surface 80 of backing support segments 90 and 92. In the preferred embodiment, the release support 50 at least partially covers the first zone 86 and the second zone 88 of the pressure sensitive adhesive 54, as shown in FIG. 3d. The first zone 86 is located above the segment 90 and the second zone 88 is located above the segment 92 of the separate back support 52.

The release surface 94 of the release support 50 is the zone 90 of the pressure sensitive adhesive 54.
And 92 in contact with the back support 52 segment 90 and
92 is releasably adhered to the release support 50 and laminated.
60 is formed. Laminate 60 has an outer surface 62 and an adhesive surface 64, a longitudinal centerline L1 and a transverse centerline T1, as shown in FIG. 3e. Laminate 60 adhesive surface
64 comprises the adhesive surface 96 of the release support 50. Figure 2
The laminate 60 preferably passes adjacent to the spray nozzle 150, as shown in FIG. This nozzle applies assembly adhesive 56 to the adhesive surface of release support 50. Assembly adhesive 56 may be applied over adhesive surface 96 of release support 50. However, in the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3e, the assembly adhesive 56 provides a side edge 10 of the peel support 50 to ensure process cleanliness.
It is applied from 0 to about 0.5 mm inward in the lateral direction. (As noted above, the adhesive may be applied continuously or in any pattern.) In another preferred embodiment, the assembled adhesive is applied in transversely separated zones to provide adhesive The region 101 that does not include is preferably parallel to the longitudinal centerline L1 and is juxtaposed or aligned with this centerline. Adhesive-free site 101 is preferably about 0.5 mm or larger to assist the slitting operation that occurs in shear slitter 160. Assembly adhesive 56 is preferably a permanent hot melt adhesive as described above.

After the assembly adhesive 56 is applied to the adhesive surface 96 of the release support 50, the laminate 60 is preferably slit along this longitudinal centerline L1 and separated to provide a tape tab, as shown in FIG. Form the material 70. The tape tab blank 70 has a longitudinal centerline L2, a transverse centerline T2 perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline L2, an adhesive surface 102, and a non-adhesive surface 104. The tape tab blank 70 is preferably fed directly to the taper device 170. This device may be incorporated in the absorber production line. The taper device 170 cuts the tape tab blank 70 in a direction parallel to the transverse centerline T2 to form the individual tape tab 40. Then taper device
170 attaches the adhesive surface 102 of the tape tab 40 to the tape tab 40
At the same time, it is adhered to the individual absorbent bodies produced.

b. One-piece tape tab Another one of the one-piece tape tab as shown in FIG.
In one preferred embodiment, the tape tab 40 is glued to the absorbent chassis with a permanent assembly adhesive as described above for the two-piece tape tab. In this embodiment, the steps described above for the manufacture of back support 52 with zones 86 and 88 of pressure sensitive adhesive 54 are as follows. As shown in FIG. 6, the pressure sensitive adhesive 54 is preferably applied in zones that are transversely separated about the longitudinal centerline L3. At this time, the width between the zones is about 0.5 mm
Or more. However, the assembly adhesive 56 is applied to the second surface 82 of the back support 52 before the back support 52 is slit and separated. Preferably, the assembly adhesive 56 is applied sequentially to several zones of the back support 52, rather than to the entire second surface 82 of the back support 52. The zones of assembly adhesive 56 are preferably transversely separated about the longitudinal centerline L3. As further shown in FIG. 6, the zone of assembled adhesive 56 is preferably located transversely inward or transversely outward from the zone of pressure sensitive adhesive 54, preferably about 0.5 mm from edge 84. Or it is arranged inside more.
From this, at least a portion of the back support 52 with the pressure sensitive adhesive 54 can be folded onto the first surface 80 of the back support 52 and the back support 52 is slit into segments. After that, the tape tab 40 can be formed.

The back support 52 is preferably slit and separated along the longitudinal centerline L3 and has at least 2 of the foregoing.
Forming one back support segment. These back support segments are fed directly to the taper device 170. This device uses rear support segments with individual tape tabs.
Cut to 40. Each individual tape tab has a fixed end 77 and a peelable end 78. The peelable end 78 preferably comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive 54 applied to the back surface 52 of the support. (In a particularly preferred embodiment, the peelable end comprises the peel tab 85.) The fixed end 77 preferably comprises the assembly adhesive 56 located on the second surface 82 and the peel surface 95. There is. Release surface 95 may be provided with any release agent known in the art. This is, but not limited to, silicon, wax, or clay. Alternatively, the release surface 95 may be formed by impregnating a predetermined portion of the backing support 52 with a release agent, or by embossing or gluing the backing support 52 and thus the release surface 95. Is formed. Alternatively, the back support 52 may be chosen to include sites of different molecular structure. For example a laminate or coextruded film where at least a portion of the first surface 80 of the backing support 52 is a release surface.
Acts as 95.

Finally, the tape tab blank 70 is fed to a standard taper device commonly known in the art. Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin
One such device, sold by Curt G. Joa Inc., of The United States, supplies tape tab stock 70 to anvil rolls. In this roll, the tape tab blank 70 is cut into individual tape tabs 40. The individual tape tabs 40 are then offset (spaced) and the fixed end 77 of each tape tab 40 is attached to the back support 52.
Is attached to the absorbent chassis by an assembly adhesive 56 disposed on the second surface 82 of the.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Ah Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Cavelle, David William, 45248, Ohio, United States, Cincinnati, Powner Farm Drive 6646 (56) Reference JP-A-63-249704 (JP, A) JP 57-205502 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61F 13 / 15-13 / 84

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method of manufacturing a tape tab blank that can be used to form a tape tab for a disposable absorbent article, comprising: a longitudinal centerline, a transverse centerline perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline, and a first surface. And a step of producing a back support having a pair of longitudinal edges; applying a pressure sensitive adhesive to the first surface of the back support, wherein the adhesive comprises at least a first zone; Applied in a second zone, the first zone and the second zone being transversely spaced apart and extending continuously in a direction parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the back support, and The first zone and the second zone are located on opposite edges of the longitudinal centerline and between the longitudinal centerline and the longitudinal edge. Zone and Two zones, the longitudinal the direction edges from the inside in at least 0.5mm transversely toward the longitudinal centerline spacing opened, thus the longitudinal edge of each portion formed adjacent to the can,
Characterized in that it does not contain the pressure-sensitive adhesive, between the first zone and the second zone, parallel to the longitudinal centerline, preferably coincident with the longitudinal centerline. Slitting the back support to form at least two segments, each of the segments having an internal longitudinal edge; Separating in a direction parallel to the pressure sensitive adhesive, the release surface having a release surface, an adhesive surface, and a pair of side edges and the pressure sensitive adhesive being in contact with the release surface. Forming at least a portion of the pressure sensitive adhesive located in both the zone and the second zone to form a unitary laminate comprising the segment and the release support; At least a portion of the adhesive surface of the support, preferably at least 0.5 mm from the longitudinal edge of the back support, preferably at least 0.5 mm from the side edge of the release support. A step of slitting the laminate between the segments in a direction parallel to the longitudinal centerline, and separating the laminate into a tape tab blank. 2. A method of manufacturing a tape tab blank, which can be used to form a tape tab used in a disposable absorbent article, comprising: a first longitudinal centerline; and a transverse centerline perpendicular to the first longitudinal centerline. A first surface, a back support having a pair of longitudinal edges, and a step of applying a pressure sensitive adhesive to the first surface of the back support, wherein the adhesive is at least Applied in a first zone and a second zone, said first zone and second zone being transversely spaced and continuous in a direction parallel to said first longitudinal centerline of said back support. The first zone and the second zone are located on opposite edges of the longitudinal centerline and between the first longitudinal centerline and the longitudinal edge. In the process of First zone and a second zone, spacing toward the longitudinal center line inwardly least 0.5mm transversely from said longitudinal edge is opened,
Thus, the portion formed adjacent to each of the longitudinal edges does not include the pressure sensitive adhesive, preferably the first zone and the second zone are separated by at least 0.5 mm transversely, A step characterized by forming a portion not containing a pressure sensitive adhesive around the first longitudinal centerline, between the first zone and the second zone, in the first longitudinal centerline Slit the back support in parallel,
Forming at least two segments,
Each of the segments has an internal longitudinal edge, separating the segments in a direction parallel to the transverse centerline, a release surface, an adhesive surface, and a pair of side edges. Contacting a release support with the pressure sensitive adhesive so that the release surface covers the pressure sensitive adhesive located in both the first zone and the second zone to provide the segment and the release. Forming a unitary laminate with a support, said laminate having a second longitudinal centerline, and applying an assembly adhesive to at least a portion of the adhesive surface of said release support, The assembly adhesive is applied to the transversely spaced zones around the second longitudinal centerline to form assembly-free areas and thus between the zones. The assembly adhesive free portion is 0.5 mm or greater, preferably at least about 0.5 mm from the longitudinal edge of the backing support, preferably the side edge of the release support. At a position of at least about 0.5 mm from the part, slitting the laminate in a direction parallel to the longitudinal centerline between the segments, and separating the laminate into a tape tab blank. How to have. 3. The method further includes the step of folding said inner longitudinal edge over said first surface of said back support to form a release tab, said folding step comprising: said release support. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein is performed before contacting with the back support. 4. The step of slitting the back support slits the back support so as to coincide with the first longitudinal centerline, and thus slits inside the portion free of pressure sensitive adhesive. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: 5. The slitting step of the laminate slits the laminate to coincide with the first longitudinal centerline, thus creating a slit inside the assembly adhesive free site. Item 5. The method according to any one of Items 1 to 4.